OG&E customers fall victim to debit card scam

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OG&E

OG&E customers fall victim to debit card scam

OG&E

OKLAHOMA CITY- When the summer temperatures begin to rise, being without electricity can be a scary thought this time of year.

Now, many customers are falling victim to scammers who are threatening to cut off their electricity.

OG&E says it has received reports of scam artists calling customers and saying their electricity will be shut off if they do not buy a “Green Dot” prepaid debit card.

The customers are then instructed to load the card with money and provide the card number to the scam artist.

“We want to make sure that our customers are aware and protected,” said Kathleen O’Shea, OG&E spokeswoman. “OG&E will not contact a customer over the phone and ask them to buy a prepaid debit card. We also will not call and ask for a customer’s credit card number over the phone. And, we will not send an employee to a customer’s home to collect payment.”

Customers have been targeted in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

In addition to the debit card scam, several local OG&E customers have been approached at home by thieves posing as OG&E workers to gain access to the customer’s home.

Official OG&E employees will have an OG&E badge, will not ask to come inside the home and will never ask for money.

Customers who are suspicious about phone calls or OG&E employees can call 1-800-272-9741 for verification.

If you are the victim of a scam, call the police or the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office.